SBU reports suspicion against ROC's chief military chaplain
The SBU is carrying out “comprehensive measures” to bring the cleric to justice.
On 20 November 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine reported issuing a notice of suspicion to the chief military chaplain of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Dmitry Vasilenko.
According to the agency’s press service, “the archpriest publicly promotes Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and justifies the war crimes of the ‘rashists’.” He has been charged under Article 436 (war propaganda) and Part 3 of Article 436-2 (justifying, recognizing as lawful, or denying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, as well as glorifying its participants, committed through the use of mass media).
The SBU states that comprehensive measures are continuing to ensure the cleric is held accountable.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a court handed down an in-absentia sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment to the Metropolitan of Luhansk.
